Figure 4. Mitochondrial DNA deletion mutations in failing and in reverse remodeled hearts.

(A) Deletions were PCR-amplified and quantified using RMC assay on DNA obtained from NF, ICM, DCM and Post-VAD supported hearts demonstrating increased frequency of mtDNA mutations in DCM hearts (*P<0.05, vs normal; n=8/group). (B) Histogram showing frequency of deletion mutations observed across the mt genome in one of the DCM failing heart. (C) Schematic representation of the human mtDNA-deletion mutations obtained from an end-stage DCM failing heart. mtDNA deletion mutations were determined by Solexa sequencing of mtDNA and breakpoints were determined by DNA sequence analysis. Arcs represent the deleted regions of the genome.